My husband and I are going on our first cruise in January, on Holland America. We've never been on a cruise before and we wanted to do one for our (somewhat delayed) honeymoon. I guess we didn't know what we were getting into as far as dress code!!

We're both in our 20's and work at good jobs, but jobs that have little to no dress code. Not to mention that I've lost 30 lbs in the past year - YAY, but that leaves me limited as far as clothes that fit! So long story short, our wardrobes are largely jeans and t-shirts! We both have enough clothes that I think will work with the dinner dress code, and we do each have a nice formal outfit....but we're young, we just paid for a wedding, and honestly, we both tend to dress for functionality more than style. None of our clothes are exactly pricey or designer brands! Some of the discussions here, about people pointing and whispering and whatnot, have me a little nervous. I'm not cruising to make friends but I'd rather people not give us a hard time about what we're wearing while we're on vacation!

Yes, we do plan on adhering to the dress code, but more in JC Penney and Old Navy than Nordstroms and Ralph Lauren and whatever people who have money wear. Are we going to look ridiculous or are we ok? (And PS - I can rock a dress from JCP!)

Your dressier evenings, sound very nice, and not to worry about labels or designer names....I am a Marshalls and TJ Maxx kinda of gal, for the most part...you will not look ridiculous at all......check out the sales after Christmas..lots of goodies on sale..I know I will

The clothes you plan to bring along sound just fine, not to worry. During the day, pretty much your shorts and t-shirts are perfectly fine and you have some nice clothes for dinner, no one will know they aren't designer quality, heck most of the others will be in the same boat. Just go have fun and relax.

don't worry about it, sounds like you have it covered. My general rule when it comes to dressing up especially for formal nights is to wear something that you would wear to your best friends evening wedding. I have traded in my evening gowns for nice cocktail dresses and dressy flowly pants with sparkly tops. As for casual nights, just wear something you would wear if you and your DH were going out to dinner at a nice restaurant at home. Since you are cruising Holland America i would definately say that shorts in the dining rooms at night are a no-no

You have nothing to worry about. You will see every type of clothing. Dress for comfort and bring your fat pants for the last days! Formal night is very dressy, accessories will jazz it up. Just you two being young and the smiles of "the fist cruise" will make it work. You will be the ones pointing fingers, you'll see. That's the beauty of a cruise, relax, enjoy and EAT! You kids have fun.

Personally I won't wear anything unless it's a brand name! But, they came from thrift stores. I shop regularly, and on occassion that perfect dress is there and home it goes with me. Once on Celebrity my floor gown that was black and with sequins, was $2 as it was half price. On Sunday I'm on Carnival with my other "new" $3 gown and actually $1 new shoes I snagged at a yard sale last week. I can keep up with the Jones's and have money to spend on building memories.
Just be a little dressy on formal nights and you'll be fine.

I am the same as you, I have a job where i can wear tshirts and jeans to work. JC penney is my friend and so are thrift stores. Don't worry about the whisperers or uppity people who might laugh, think of all the money we save compared to them in work clothes and cruise clothes. We actually have a smarter lifestyle. Its one of the reasons I left the east coast to move out to the midwest :-) Have a fun trip

One of my favorite things about cruising is to watch the hillbillies parade around in their ill-fitting, cheap clothes.

Be careful who you call a hillbilly! In 2008 on Celebrity Constellation there were 4 couples traveling together from Little Rock Ark. One formal night the 4 men showed up in dungarees while the ladies were dressed to kill in the most gorgeous gowns. It turns out that dungarees, when worn with a shirt, tie and patent leather shoes, are known as Arkansas Tuxedos! Found out these gents where all bankers-hardly hillbillies.

Be careful who you call a hillbilly! In 2008 on Celebrity Constellation there were 4 couples traveling together from Little Rock Ark. One formal night the 4 men showed up in dungarees while the ladies were dressed to kill in the most gorgeous gowns. It turns out that dungarees, when worn with a shirt, tie and patent leather shoes, are known as Arkansas Tuxedos! Found out these gents where all bankers-hardly hillbillies.

You will look fabulous in what ever you wear...if you are happy and comfortable, then who cares? A two dollar t shirt and a nice pair of jeans can look just as fabulous...especially after loosing 30 pounds! Have fun...and ignore rude obnoxious people that don't have manners and shouldn't be allowed out in public...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkNYC

One of my favorite things about cruising is to watch the hillbillies parade around in their ill-fitting, cheap clothes.

Being a 'hillbilly' I take offense to that! My clothes fit fine, they may not be from designer stores but I can still feed my family after shopping for them, and I can then afford to go on fabulous cruises...so. I am proud to be a 'hillbilly' as well as a coal miners granddaughter! and for your information we DO wear SHOES...most the time. I prefer flip flops. Some people are just plain ignorant and rude!:evil: ...and I like to watch and laugh at 'uppity rich city people' who think they are 'all that' and think they are so much better than others strut around like proud peacocks.

You will look fabulous in what ever you wear...if you are happy and comfortable, then who cares? A two dollar t shirt and a nice pair of jeans can look just as fabulous...especially after loosing 30 pounds! Have fun...and ignore rude obnoxious people that don't have manners and shouldn't be allowed out in public...

I can't recommend wearing anything that is not within the cruise lines' dress guidelines aboard ship (except, of course, on an occasion such as Halloween when costumes are in order). I have seen staff turn passengers away from dining rooms, show rooms, and other events because they were not wearing the proper attire.

Obviously, the key is to choose a cruise line that matches your personal style and taste. If you want to wear jeans and "T" shirts to dinner, book your cruise on a line on which jeans and "T" shirts are acceptable evening attire rather than on a line which explicitly states that prescribes a "smart casual" or "country club casual" standard of evening dress.

The original cloth design was French.
The city of Nimes in France was famous for many years as a center for cloth production.
Their unique fabrics were "from Nimes" (De Nimes in French).
Once in America, De Nimes was changed to DeNimes and then to Denims.
The cloth was not very popular until the California Goldrush.
It was very strong and durable. The miners needed strong, durable clothing and tents for their prospecting work. Denim was perfect.

The Levi Strauss family in San Francisco somehow convinced America that this utilitarian cloth from the mining industry could also be a fashion statement.